Community pharmacy has come a long way in 60 years. From its roots in dispensing and compounding medicines, the industry is now a crucial player in the broader healthcare ecosystem. 

The history of community pharmacy is closely entwined with the Pharmacy Benefits Scheme (PBS), which was first introduced as a limited scheme in 1948 and formally established in 1960. Every five years since 1990, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the government have negotiated the terms and conditions for supplying PBS medicines. This five-yearly negotiation does create uncertainty in the industry, especially close to the end of each agreement, but for the taxpayer it does ensure there is an independent review.  
 

While the dispensing of medicine will continue to be tied to these five-year agreements, pharmacy has evolved significantly in that time.
 

Like many professions, 60 years ago most pharmacists and pharmacy owners were men, whereas now the majority of pharmacists are women. 
 

For the wider community pharmacy, the focus is on serving the needs and expectations of patients while stepping up and leaning into challenges. The most recent has been the COVID-19 pandemic, and community pharmacies in WA were quick to respond.  Pharmacy 777 alone delivered 550,000 COVID-19 and flu vaccinations during the pandemic, providing invaluable support at a time when the healthcare system was under enormous strain. The pharmacy industry also made sure medicines continued to be available, despite the risks and challenges during the pandemic.
 

In regional WA, the role of pharmacists is critical. They ensure that rural patients receive the medications they need, and they often step in to provide immediate healthcare support, given the long waiting times to see a doctor in some communities.   It is important that regional Australia is not forgotten and access to health professionals remains a priority. 
 

The drive for innovation and evolution will continue. As an industry, we are always looking to embrace global best practices. In Canada, for example, 60% of immunisations are delivered by pharmacists, and Canadian pharmacists are at the forefront when it comes to providing long-term care for patients with hypertension. This approach has been shown to improve outcomes and save money for the healthcare system, serving as a model for Australia.
 

In future, the role of pharmacists may extend to prescribing medications for simple conditions. That’s already happening with a trial in Queensland and may soon pave the way for Western Australia where pharmacists are allowed, under certain criteria, to prescribe antibiotics for uncomplicated UTIs. 
 

Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals, and, as the Pharmacy Guild of Australia has noted, extending prescribing rights to pharmacists will create a more flexible health system, particularly given the shortage of general practitioners.  
 

Technology will also play an increasingly crucial role in pharmacies. Automation brings greater efficiencies and accuracy in dispensing, while addressing some of the challenges with staff shortages, particularly in rural areas. Patients now expect to be able to order their medicines online and ready for pick up or delivery. Technology also helps older people stay in their homes with dignity for longer by enabling electronic communication with the pharmacist and home delivery of medicines. 
 

Community pharmacy has risen to the challenge of change, with the current location rules ensuring pharmacies are well distributed throughout Australia’s vastly spread-out communities. The location rules, which are established under the Community Pharmacy Agreement, ensure all Australians have access to PBS medicines, that there is community access to pharmacy services in all regions, and that there is an effective, efficient and well-distributed community pharmacy network throughout the country. Having a good spread of pharmacies means the supply of medicine to all Australians is assured and that all communities are served when challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic arise. 
 

Perhaps the biggest risk to pharmacies is staffing challenges. While the Pharmacy 777 group has been fortunate because we have employed a greater number of pharmacists to counsel patients and provide consultation-based health services, there is no doubt the pandemic has placed a strain on the industry. There were times when 25% of the workforce was isolating, and, like all healthcare professionals, pharmacists have faced significant stress and anxiety, knowing their accessibility and services are vital to patients who need ongoing access to their medicines. 
 

Despite some challenges, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of the industry. The evolution of the patient-focused pharmacy model – as delivered by community pharmacies– serve the community well by collaborating with the wider health care system to support patient care. 
 

The priority for community pharmacies is to continue to serve patient needs and remain relevant by adapting to change, challenges and innovation.